Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device of the present invention has a lock bar that moves according to the movement of a lift member. In a state where female threads provided on the lift member are threadably engaged with male threads provided on a rotary shaft, the lift member moves along the axis of the rotary shaft according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, which is driven by an electric motor. The female threads of the lift member can be disengaged from the male threads according to the rotation of the rotary shaft. When the female threads are disengaged from the male threads, rotation of the rotary shaft is permitted.

Abstract: An engine start controller shortens the time required from when an operation switch is operated to when an engine is started. The engine start controller controls starting of the engine of a vehicle and power supply to an electric device system. A control unit selectively locks the steering shaft of the vehicle and performs authentication with a portable device, which is carried by a user of the vehicle, for permitting use of the vehicle. An operation switch is connected to the control unit and generates an operation signal when operated by the user. The control unit unlocks the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the electric device system when the operation signal is generated and use of the vehicle is permitted through the authentication.

Abstract: A switch device is provided that ensures formation of a communicable area by a coil antenna. The switch device includes an ignition switch operated by an operator for driving an engine starter, a decorative cap arranged to surround the ignition switch and having an ornamental surface, and the coil antenna arranged adjacent to the decorative cap for transmitting a transponder-driving radio wave. The decorative cap includes a transmittable area that can transmit the transponder-driving radio wave therethrough. The transmittable area is formed in a part of the decorative cap excluding the ornamental surface.

Abstract: A controller enabling switching between a smart function and an immobilizer function without using a key cylinder or a slot. The controller includes a verification ECU for transmitting a request signal to a first area and transmitting a transponder drive radio wave to a second area. The portable device transmits an ID code signal in response to the request signal or the transponder drive radio wave. The verification ECU enables the starting of an engine when the ID code transmitted from the portable device matches an ID code of the controller. The verification ECU transmits the drive radio wave when a driver operates a switch in a state in which the starting of the engine is not enabled after the request signal is transmitted.

Abstract: An electric steering lock apparatus that protects an actuator from overheating without enlarging the actuator. The electric steering lock apparatus includes a lock pin engaged with a steering shaft to lock the steering shaft. An actuator moves the lock pin between a lock position in which the lock pin is engaged with the steering shaft and an unlock position in which the lock pin is disengaged from the steering shaft. A control unit controls the actuator. The control unit generates a calculated value related to operation time of the actuator and suspends operation of the actuator when the calculated value is greater than a predetermined operation suspension threshold value.

Abstract: A switch device that occupies less space and that can be manufactured at a lower cost. The switch device includes an operation switch operated by an operator for driving an actuator and a coil antenna used to output a transponder-driving radio wave. The coil antenna is arranged adjacent to the operation switch.

Abstract: A start control apparatus has a steering lock mechanism, which includes a lock pin and a lock control unit. The lock pin is selectively engaged and disengaged from the steering shaft. The lock control unit controls the lock pin. The start control apparatus further includes a portable communication device, a verification control unit, which communicates with the portable communication device, a power source control unit, which control power supply, an engine control unit, which controls the engine, a lock state detecting switch, which detects an engaged state and a disengaged state of the lock pin. The lock control unit and the power source control unit monitor detection signals from the lock state detecting switch. The engine is permitted to be started on condition that the control units acknowledge that the lock bar is in the disengaged state.

Abstract: A switch device that improves reliability in starting an engine is provided. The switch device includes a push button, a magnetic sensor, and a power supply ECU. The push button is pressed by a driver to start the engine. The magnetic sensor detects that the push button has been pressed, in a non-contact manner. The power supply ECU is connected to the magnetic sensor and supplies power to the magnetic sensor to enable the magnetic sensor to detect that the push button has been pressed.

Abstract: A steering shaft locking device capable of performing a locking operation in an optimum manner. The steering shaft locking device includes a motor to which voltage is applied to generate a drive force. A locking bar is moved by the drive force of an actuator so as to engage the steering shaft. A steering shaft lock ECU connected to the motor performs a first control to move the locking bar to a lock position, at which the locking bar engages the steering shaft, and a second control to move the locking bar to an unlock position, at which the locking bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. A voltage control means controls the voltage applied to the motor during the first control such that the voltage is less than or equal to the voltage applied to the motor during the second control.

Abstract: The discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a high-voltage generating coil connected in series to a discharge lamp for applying a high voltage to the discharge lamp to turn on the lamp, an inverter for inverting a dc voltage into an ac voltage in order to supply a lamp current to the discharge lamp on an alternating basis through the high voltage generating coil, a lamp voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage across the discharge lamp as a lamp voltage, and a lamp power control circuit for controlling an ac power supplied to the discharge lamp from the inverter on the basis of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detecting circuit. The lamp voltage detecting circuit detects the lamp voltage by subtracting a voltage in proportion to a sum of voltage drops across devices lying on a current path over which the lamp current flows other than the discharge lamp from a voltage in proportion to the dc voltage.

Abstract: An engine starting controller for a vehicle provided with a smart ignition function. The controller communicates with a portable communicator including an emergency key. When the battery of the portable communicator is drained, the emergency key is used to open the door lock and start the engine. A seat for depositing the emergency key is provided in the passenger compartment. The starting of the engine is enabled when the emergency key is deposited on the seat. The seat is illuminated or moved to notify the driver where to deposit the key.

Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device of the present invention has a lock bar which moves according to the movement of a cam follower. The cam follower relatively moves in a spiral cam groove in accordance with the rotation of a rotary plate driven by an electric motor, thereby the cam follower moves along the radial direction of the rotary plate. The cam follower can be disengaged from the cam groove via the end portions of the cam groove according to the rotation of the rotary plate. When the cam follower is disengaged from the cam groove, the rotation of the rotary plate is permitted.

Abstract: An engine switch for selectively starting and stopping an engine and an LED for irradiating the engine switch are located in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. When a vehicular lighting device, such as a headlight, is switched from an on state to an off state, the LED is lighted up. Therefore, even if the passenger compartment is dark, the position of the engine switch is easily found.

Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device (10) of the present invention has a lock bar (22) that moves according to the movement of a lift member (50). In a state where female threads (52) provided on the lift member are threadably engaged with male threads (45) provided on a rotary shaft (40), the lift member moves along the axis of the rotary shaft according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, which is driven by an electric motor (11). The female threads of the lift member can be disengaged from the male threads according to the rotation of the rotary shaft. When the female threads are disengaged from the male threads, rotation of the rotary shaft (40) is permitted.

Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device (10) of the present invention has a lock bar (32) which moves according to the movement of a cam follower (22). The cam follower relatively moves in a spiral cam groove (21) in accordance with the rotation of a rotary plate (20) driven by an electric motor (11), thereby the cam follower moves along the radial direction of the rotary plate. The cam follower can be disengaged from the cam groove via the end portions (21a, 21b) of the cam groove according to the rotation of the rotary plate. When the cam follower is disengaged from the cam groove, the rotation of the rotary plate is permitted.

Abstract: An engine start/stop control system for preventing an engine from stopping when a vehicle is traveling. The system includes an IG1 driver circuit arranged between a power supply control unit and an IG1 relay. The IG1 driver circuit is activated in accordance with an activation signal from the power supply control unit or an output signal of a latch circuit and includes an FET for activating a relay. The latch circuit keeps the FET ON and the relay activated unless the vehicle stops traveling and a start/stop switch is pushed.

Abstract: The discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a high-voltage generating coil connected in series to a discharge lamp for applying a high voltage to the discharge lamp to turn on the lamp, an inverter for inverting a dc voltage into an ac voltage in order to supply a lamp current to the discharge lamp on an alternating basis through the high voltage generating coil, a lamp voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage across the discharge lamp as a lamp voltage, and a lamp power control circuit for controlling an ac power supplied to the discharge lamp from the inverter on the basis of the lamp voltage detected by the lamp voltage detecting circuit. The lamp voltage detecting circuit detects the lamp voltage by subtracting a voltage in proportion to a sum of voltage drops across devices lying on a current path over which the lamp current flows other than the discharge lamp from a voltage in proportion to the dc voltage.

Abstract: An engine start controller shortens the time required from when an operation switch is operated to when an engine is started. The engine start controller controls starting of the engine of a vehicle and power supply to an electric device system. A control unit selectively locks the steering shaft of the vehicle and performs authentication with a portable device, which is carried by a user of the vehicle, for permitting use of the vehicle. An operation switch is connected to the control unit and generates an operation signal when operated by the user. The control unit unlocks the steering shaft in parallel with supplying power to the electric device system when the operation signal is generated and use of the vehicle is permitted through the authentication.

Abstract: A steering shaft locking device capable of performing a locking operation in an optimum manner. The steering shaft locking device includes a motor to which voltage is applied to generate a drive force. A locking bar is moved by the drive force of an actuator so as to engage the steering shaft. A steering shaft lock ECU connected to the motor performs a first control to move the locking bar to a lock position, at which the locking bar engages the steering shaft, and a second control to move the locking bar to an unlock position, at which the locking bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. A voltage control means controls the voltage applied to the motor during the first control such that the voltage is less than or equal to the voltage applied to the motor during the second control.

Abstract: A controller enabling switching between a smart function and an immobilizer function without using a key cylinder or a slot. The controller includes a verification ECU for transmitting a request signal to a first area and transmitting a transponder drive radio wave to a second area. The portable device transmits an ID code signal in response to the request signal or the transponder drive radio wave. The verification ECU enables the starting of an engine when the ID code transmitted from the portable device matches an ID code of the controller. The verification ECU transmits the drive radio wave when a driver operates a switch in a state in which the starting of the engine is not enabled after the request signal is transmitted.